The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Nathaniel Ernest Callen, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Molain, France, 17 October 1918. While leading his battalion into advanced positions, Major Callen made personal reconnaissance of the territory ahead of his troops in order to locate strongly held machine-gun nests, which were holding up the advance of his battalion. On several occasions he personally superintended the cleaning out of machine-gun nests. Throughout the engagement he was subjected to continuous machine-gun, sniper, trench mortar, and artillery fire, but continued his work, setting an excellent example of courage and bravery.